verb
shift
SHIHFT
verb
1
To move something from one place or position to another.
"She shifted the boxes to the other side of the room."
"Public opinion has shifted on the issue."
2
To change gears in a vehicle.
"He shifted into third gear as he pulled onto the motorway."
noun
1
A scheduled block of working time.
"She works the night shift at the hospital."
"His shift starts at six in the morning."
2
A keyboard key used to type capital letters or alternate characters.
"Hold shift and press the number key to get the symbol."
How to Use Shift
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move or change position — or, as a noun, a fixed period of work time or the keyboard key for capitals.
Common pairings
shift gears
night shift
shift the blame
a shift in attitude
Word Forms
shifted past tense, Shifts plural, shifts singular
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Etymology
From Old English sċiftan, meaning "to divide, arrange, or organise" — the sense narrowed over time to mean simply "to move or change."